Fingerhints: On-Finger Kinesthetic Notifications

What is it about?

We present “fingerhints,” on-finger kinesthetic feedback represented by hyper-extension movements of the index finger, bypassing user agency, for notifications delivery. We designed a custom made finger-augmentation device, which leverages mechanical force to deliver programmable hyper-extensions of the index finger. Three studies were carried out to analyze users' perception, usability and social acceptability using the device, but also statistical correlations between their experiences and personality, dexterity, etc. In the last study, a participant wore the device for 8 hours over the course of a typical day and we presented insights from his experience. In this paper we discuss the user experience of fingerhints in relation to our participants’ personality traits, finger dexterity levels, and general attitudes toward notifications, and present implications for interactive systems leveraging on-finger kinesthetic feedback for on-body computing.

Featured Image

Photo by Randall Bruder on Unsplash

Photo by Randall Bruder on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We explore new modality for notification delivery using kinesthetic feedback. Our findings revealed good usability, low technology creepiness, and moderate to high social acceptability.